UNITEDRANT

Preview: Everton v United

New season, new hope; and Sir Alex Ferguson has created more than a little this summer with a string of exciting, attacking purchases to bolster Manchester United’s squad. Whether the Reds soft midfield underbelly is once again exposed will be determined over the next nine months, although tThe campaign could hardly begin with a tougher fixture as Fergsuon’s men visit Everton at Goodison Park on the opening weekend Monday night of the season. New acquisitions Shinji Kagawa and Robin van Persie are set to make their United debuts, with the Reds chasing a 20th league title this season.

Three months on from the dramatic, and for United supporters everywhere traumatic, end to the Premier League season, with Manchester City snatching the title on goal difference deep into injury time, Ferguson has promised a response. The “mark of true champions,” says the 70-year-old Scot is the ability to respond. Indeed, the United manager has done his bit, revitalising the Reds’ attacking options with van Persie and Kagawa, and promising that “never again” will City beat United to the title on goal difference.

It is a call to arms that nobody uses to more effect that Ferguson, who has pushed his players to overcome a summer of disappointment by winning back the Premier League title next May.

“It was a huge blow, the way it happened. Nobody could have predicted that and we never thought it was going to happen. But we have to get over it now. We’ve had setbacks in the past and we have to move on. That’s the nature of the club and the manager. He’ll be driving us forward to achieve something this season.

“As a club we do tend to bounce back. If we have a defeat or setback we tend to come back stronger. We can’t forget how close we were. It wasn’t a disaster in terms of how the season went because we had a good season. We’ll bounce back. We’re strong this year and we’re hungry, not that we wouldn’t have been hungry anyway. It will be a good championship.”

After a trophy-less season last time out, few supporters will countenance anything other than a “good season” that contains both silverware, and exciting performances. Both were in short supply at times last season.

Yet, while Ferguson has recruited new attacking players, the Scot has been more circumspect elsewhere, with Crewe Alexandra midfielder Nick Powell likely to spend much of the season with United’s Under-21 side, and Dutchman Alexander Büttner brought in as cover for Patrice Evra at left-back.

The lack of new options in central midfield will be tested once again at Goodison, especially with Rio Ferdinand reportedly joining Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans on the treatment table. Midfielder Michael Carrick will deputise in defence, with Tom Cleverley joining 38-year-old Paul Scholes in the centre of the park. Brazilian Anderson is fit, for once some may add, but is likely to start on the bench.

Meanwhile, Everton manager David Moyes has his own midfield problems to solve after selling Jack Rodwell and Tim Cahill this summer, while Darron Gibson and Marouanne Fellaini each face late fitness tests ahead of the Monday night kick-off. Steven Pienaar has rejoined from Tottenham Hotspur, while striking recruit Steven Naismith is set for a club debut.

Still, United can expect nothing other than a thorough test at Goodison after a summer that included plenty of long-haul travel, but previous little football of a high quality.

“Being away in your first game is always tough so we’ll have to be up for it,” said Welshman Ryan Giggs ahead of what could be his final season for the club.

“We’ve had a decent record there over the years – they’re always good games which can be pretty quick and quite feisty which adds to the atmosphere. David Moyes’ teams always work hard and you know you’re in for a battle and that you’ll have to work harder than them to win.

“We can talk about the quality players we’ve got in our squad but ultimately you need to work hard and make sure you start the season off well. It’s certainly a good test to begin with and everyone is looking forward to it. The manager likes to lay down his ambitions for the season and look in the players’ eyes to see if they’re ready for the challenge and we are. It was a long summer and we can’t wait to get going and put things right this time.”

With title rivals City and Chelsea both winning at the weekend Ferguson’s side is already playing catch-up in the Premier League, although there will be no panic at Old Trafford should the Reds not come away with all three points.

Yet, there will also be desire for a modicum of revenge after Everton’s dramatic 4-4 draw with United in Manchester last April. It proved to be a decisive result in the Premier League. Ferguson will want no repeat of the lax defending his men demonstrated that day.

212 comments

I keep thinking of that 4-4 draw, and even though United had only themselves to blame, I do think a certain amount of revenge mentality will see this game through. I reckon 2-0 to United, van Persie and Rooney getting the goals.

Not sure RVP will be fit to start. I think Kagawa is more likely to start with RVP replacing him after the hour. Not sure Scholes will start either after his performance in the 4-4. He is a bit ineffective against energetic pressing midfields, although it could be different in a 4231. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Ando come in for him.

I think Eds got it spot on… that’s the team, and formation I want to see us play every big game… obviously Carrick in Scholes place, when our defence isn’t in ruins… but when those players, especially the front 4 get to know each other, we’re going to see some awesome football… I’m sure of it.

I’m still not happy with Ferguson… but this is the first season in years that I’m genuinely excited about the football to come, and not just depressed about the state of our club and the cunts running it.

We will start with our ridiculous outdated straight line 4-4-2 and then Everton will run riot as they did a few months ago at old Trafford. What is wrong with Jones? Why on earth are we going to start another season with Paul Scholes starting ANY game?

I am already annoyed thinking about these long before the match starts.

The Jones issue is pretty well publicized Calvino – he has a problem with his back. He’ll be out for a month apparently.

And I don’t think a traditional 442 is really possible with the players we need to incorporate. At least I hope not… It will be pretty heartbreaking if we do try to stick with that outdated formation.

And finally, Scholes was one of the main reasons we got so close to City last year. He doesn’t have the engine to compete against the top Prem teams (and I include Everton in that) for the full 90. But he can more than do a job against most.

In all fairness, he was pretty solid against them in the 4-4 until it got to 70 mins. And when you look at who he’ll be up against today, the only massive threat is Fellaini (and to a lesser extent Osman)

My bigger concerns relate to the back 4

Really disconcerting to be starting the year with plasters across the defence yet again. Don’t really understand why Michael Keane started on Saturday given our problems here

Oh well. It wouldn’t be United if we didn’t make things difficult. Triumph in the face of adversity and all that.

Calvino said:
We will start with our ridiculous outdated straight line 4-4-2 and then Everton will run riot as they did a few months ago at old Trafford. What is wrong with Jones? Why on earth are we going to start another season with Paul Scholes starting ANY game?

I am already annoyed thinking about these long before the match starts.

Fucking hell Cal, can you be just a tad more melodramatic? I don’t think you quite nailed it!

But seriously, what is wrong with Jones? Or Evans? First bleeding game of the season and they are crocked? From what? Watching telly? We already know that Rio is not going to be much use but seriously…?

Expect Fellaini to spend the game bullying Carrick if Carrick starts at CB. As an aside, why didn’t we solve the Fellaini problem by purchasing my favorite be-Afro’d footballer. I really think he is underrated and I’d love him at United.

Heart is screaming for RvP to start, head suggests having an extra man in midfield would be more useful. I’d start with a 3 man midfield (Who that might be is another thing), Nani / Kagawa floating about behind Rooney. I know Fergie likes his wing play, but we get natural width from our fullbacks and I would rather trust in our forwards, like the season with had the mind bogglingly brilliant Rooney / Ronaldo / Tevez front line, to take up sensible positions.

Everton usually have an awful start to the Premier League season. I’m hopeful that trend continues tonight, with them being a stale team badly in need of investment.
Think we’ll win this one, 2-0. Kagawa and Vidic to score!

“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”

Not sure Alf. Am getting old so pursuing my interests like my website and the blogs I write for supersport.com. Maybe I might be at ACN, will keep you posted. My nerves are taut already for this season. Have no idea how and why I put myself through this every year now since ’83! My wife is fed up already and is annoyed in advance of tonight’s kick-off.

I’m really looking forward to this. I hope Rooney, RVP, and Kagawa all start. RVP will probably be able to jump right into the swing of things, it will probably take a while before we can properly judge Kagawa. Ah fucking the fucking Glazers. A few decent signings, and I’m eating up United product again, damn it.

I’d expect us to win about 3-1 looking a bit sloppy and not very fluent. But our forwards should have too much for an equally sloppy Everton to keep them out.

Calvino said:
Not sure Alf. Am getting old so pursuing my interests like my website and the blogs I write for supersport.com. Maybe I might be at ACN, will keep you posted. My nerves are taut already for this season. Have no idea how and why I put myself through this every year now since ’83! My wife is fed up already and is annoyed in advance of tonight’s kick-off.

I would guess that Nani and Valencia will do the winger/overlapping fullback thing on our right, leaving Kagawa free to drift in behind Rooney.
EDIT: anyone got a reliable, non-Sopcast stream recommendation?

really hope that’s not a 442 with Kagawa LM. Wootton on the bench and no M. Keane – why play him all pre-season and then bring in someone else? Berba, Young, Raf, Anderson, Lindegaard and RVP others on the bench. No Hernandez, but Berba?

Kagawa and Nani both look sharp and lively so far. I thought Nani had run down a blind alley there at one point, but he kept the ball away from 3 or 4 blue players nicely. I’d love a big season from him

No disrespect to Fellaini, who I think is a very good player, but Carrick is no centre back. We really need a fucking midfielder. Maybe I’m judging too hastily, but so far this really looks a season too far for Scholes.

If we can’t handle him then we’re gonna be fucked when we come up against top players

It’s not just that – look at his first touch, his vision bringing in other players. Yes he thrives when the direct ball is coming in, but it’s quality out of him too, it’s not just pinging into him and bouncing off in random directions.

Ben Hulston said:
It’s not just that – look at his first touch, his vision bringing in other players. Yes he thrives when the direct ball is coming in, but it’s quality out of him too, it’s not just pinging into him and bouncing off in random directions.

His first touch is alright, his balls are alright, but he’s nowt special
If we had a beasty cunty midfielder, or two fit beasty cunty centrebacks, we’d neutralise him
But still, he’s had the ball taken off his foot 5 or 6 times so far
And when he had an actual chance on goal it went for a throw in

Kagawa, Cleverley, looking nice and neat, good attacking intent from both of them. Turning, getting their head up, looking for options. Welbeck / Rooney limited opportunities to get going really. Not too bad a showing so far, but we need to up the tempo. Everton aren’t slouches at the back, need more final third quality

How the hell do we have 4 centrebacks injured already. There is something badly badly wrong at the club concerning training, fitness, or the medical team. We’ve have a defensive crisis nearly every season for the past four or five years, even though we’ve got a whole bunch of decent defenders.

De Gea’s made some good saves there. Kagawa made some very good passes – I like how he always seems to be looking around him, never at the ball at his feet. But the problem area as expected is the defensive-central midfield area. Usual service has resumed in other words.

Nah I don’t think Nani’s doing so badly. I saw more positives than negatives in his performance so far. He’s had a few mong moments, but they are coming from an excess of enthusiasm, which is nice to see. He’s definitely going for it.

This first half speaks volumes about the ‘luxury’ Van Persie transfer. The strikers and wingers are playing well, but still United are struggling, being almost destroyed by Fellaini. Imagine what the city team will do to us, with Toure and the likes.

scholes in the centre is a problem. he’s not always able to keep up with the pace, and he’s already on a yellow.
rooney’s been shit, nani’s been poor, welbeck’s been mostly out of the game.
kagawa’s been great.

Same old story, no midfield, no defence.
Its good we are getting Kaka on loan. We will see a big difference in midfield. But we don’t need a real strong defence against Everton. Bring on Van Persie and Berbatov and this game is over.

That sums Nani up. He couldn’t have any more fucking options in front of him, and he swings it into the keeper’s arms. All yous who go on about “x factor”, are you nuts? So he can occasionally put one in the top corner, the rest of the time it’s run abouty arm wafting bollocks.

Ben Hulston said:
That sums Nani up. He couldn’t have any more fucking options in front of him, and he swings it into the keeper’s arms. All yous who go on about “x factor”, are you nuts? So he can occasionally put one in the top corner, the rest of the time it’s run abouty arm wafting bollocks.

I was defending him earlier on, but Nani’s crossing is jsut getting worse and worse. I don’t think we’re going to get anything out of this one. Moyes took a look at our midfield, came up with a gameplan, and so far has executed it almost perfectly.

Nani has messed up literally everything he’s done tonight. A complete waste of space. He’s been dire. He should’ve been taken off at half time. No end product – consistently no end product. On many occasions he’s had opportunities to pass it, cross it, whatever – but he’s just fucked it up.

Look at City yesterday, they refused to get beat. Their big personalities stepped up.

Who stepped up tonight? No one. Vidic wasn’t even marking Fellaini for fucks sake. I know we’ve got a pile of shit makeshift defence, but make no mistake – Raphael SHOULD have started at RB, and Valencia SHOULD have been playing right wing.

Same old story. Fuck about with the ball and let their keeper sit on his arse for 90 mins. Play Scholes for the entire game. Nani will always be a brainless gimp, I’m afraid. I think Alf might be right on that one.

Ben Hulston said:
Look at City yesterday, they refused to get beat. Their big personalities stepped up.

Who stepped up tonight? No one. Vidic wasn’t even marking Fellaini for fucks sake. I know we’ve got a pile of shit makeshift defence, but make no mistake – Raphael SHOULD have started at RB, and Valencia SHOULD have been playing right wing.

Rafael is fucking shite. He would have walked back to the dressing room with a limp after the Everton players had finished with him.

Raphael would have enabled Valencia to go forward. He at least is an actual defensive player. Sheesh, sorry bud, you’re wrong. He would’ve put a shift in tonight, allowing Tony V to go forward, allowing Nani to get off to some “challenging” side in Spain, or off to the “PSG Project”.

Tonight is a grade A example of why Nani WILL NEVER earn the top bucks

SAF still making bad team selections. Why start with Scholes? And if you are not going to play Rafael at right back, as I keep saying, we need also a right fullback.
But if we have so many central defenders injured, then you change your tactics and play an attacking team to keep Everton on the defensive. Should have started with Rooney, Berbatov and Van Persie. Its only the first game but its the same old problems. The team will get better but can’t afford to drop points this early.

I don’t think our central midfield was the issue tonight. There were two main issues.

The first was Fellaini. He completely dominated our back four, though to be fair Evertons game plan of hitting the diagonal ball to isolate Fellaini against our full backs was spot on. A more physicall defensive midfielder may have helped, but it wouldn’t have stopped the effect of Evertons directness causing us problems.

The second problem was the front 3. Rooney, Nani, Wellbeck were all poor. Kagawa showed excellent movement, touch, close control, awareness, decision making and final ball were all excellent, and on his debut too. It says something when your attacking playmaker has a good game but the opposition keeper has no real save to make. Young was no better when he came on either. Van Persie displayed his obvious quality but couldn’t really get into the game. But the lack of any real presence, pace or touch by any of the front 3 shafted us tonight.

Rooney is a massive concern. He doesn’t look fit and his first touch and close control have vanished. I’d even go as far as to say that if we were offered silly money (50m) then I’d take it, IF it could be reinvested.

Fair fucks to Everton though. You talk about having bollocks in your game and they had it spades tonight.

How about a bit of respect for Everton… they were fantastic… and bitching about our midfield not coping with Fellaini???… he is a big cunt. and 99% of the trouble he caused us, were headers won… when Everton hit the underside of the crossbar, it was from Fellaini beating Vidic in the air… so what makes any of you think, another midfielder would have coped?

Fellaini is a decent player, but he’s not THAT good, which is why he’s stuck at Everton, and not Chelsea or City… he was outstanding tonight, and won them the game… but he won’t play like that every week… and Jagielka was also brilliant tonight…

If Everton play like this all year, they’ll challenge for top 6 and give anyone a hard game at home.

We lost 1-0 with a makeshift defence… I’m not happy, but there was more than enough to feel optimistic about the rest of the season… we are going to play a hell of a lot better than THAT… and THAT, wasn’t THAT bad…

Dinkinflicker said:
I don’t think our central midfield was the issue tonight. There were two main issues.

The first was Fellaini. He completely dominated our back four, though to be fair Evertons game plan of hitting the diagonal ball to isolate Fellaini against our full backs was spot on. A more physicall defensive midfielder may have helped, but it wouldn’t have stopped the effect of Evertons directness causing us problems.

The second problem was the front 3. Rooney, Nani, Wellbeck were all poor. Kagawa showed excellent movement, touch, close control, awareness, decision making and final ball were all excellent, and on his debut too. It says something when your attacking playmaker has a good game but the opposition keeper has no real save to make. Young was no better when he came on either. Van Persie displayed his obvious quality but couldn’t really get into the game. But the lack of any real presence, pace or touch by any of the front 3 shafted us tonight.

Rooney is a massive concern. He doesn’t look fit and his first touch and close control have vanished. I’d even go as far as to say that if we were offered silly money (50m) then I’d take it, IF it could be reinvested.

Fair fucks to Everton though. You talk about having bollocks in your game and they had it spades tonight.

Good post, but don’t write Rooney off yet… there were a few hints tonight of things to come from him and Kagawa, when they get used to playing with van Percie, I think we’ll see fireworks.

How about a bit of respect for Everton… they were fantastic… and bitching about our midfield not coping with Fellaini???… he is a big cunt. and 99% of the trouble he caused us, were headers won… when Everton hit the underside of the crossbar, it was from Fellaini beating Vidic in the air… so what makes any of you think, another midfielder would have coped?

Fellaini is a decent player, but he’s not THAT good, which is why he’s stuck at Everton, and not Chelsea or City… he was outstanding tonight, and won them the game… but he won’t play like that every week… and Jagielka was also brilliant tonight…

If Everton play like this all year, they’ll challenge for top 6 and give anyone a hard game at home.

We lost 1-0 with a makeshift defence… I’m not happy, but there was more than enough to feel optimistic about the rest of the season… we are going to play a hell of a lot better than THAT… and THAT, wasn’t THAT bad…

Everton won tonight and deserved it… that’s all.

Alf

Agree on the makeshit defence due to injuries. Hopefully this problem will go away.

But the real problem I have is the lack of chances we created……our 2nd half was better and Everton were exhausted but still no real chances…

Its early days of course but I definitely cant be too encouraged by that peformance….

Commenter said:
SAF still making bad team selections. Why start with Scholes? And if you are not going to play Rafael at right back, as I keep saying, we need also a right fullback.
But if we have so many central defenders injured, then you change your tactics and play an attacking team to keep Everton on the defensive. Should have started with Rooney, Berbatov and Van Persie. Its only the first game but its the same old problems. The team will get better but can’t afford to drop points this early.

I guess what is most disappointing is that – the same issues from last season, the same issues about effort, about getting a grip on the game, are there for all to see. Gibson and Phil Neville outworked our midfield, and we had no response. That’s the model to beat United.

We really need to start belting into games, because I reckon if we start going a goal up against teams, we’ll take some apart on the break. Kagawa’s passing is sweet as.

I don’t like this style of play we have adopted where we pass the ball to death without purpose. We had something like 68% possession at one point in the first half. It’s all very well having the ball but if you don’t give their keeper anything to do, it’s all rather pointless.
Defensively, we did about as well as could be expected but the defenders had little protection. De Gea singlehandedly kept us in the game in the first half.
Scholes should never have played 90 mins. Rooney put in a performance that should have the manager giving serious consideration to make him fight for his place.
We looked laboured at times.
The one big positive was definitely Kagawa who looks an absolute star in the making. Million times better than any other player in a red shirt. Van Persie nearly created an assist for Kagawa.

I’m not sleeping. On another website 90% of the United fans are caliing for Fergie to be SACKED! And most fans agree to what I’m saying. Why spend 24 million on another striker who is 29 years old when your problems are in midfield and defence. Its the reason why Chelsea bought two midfielders in Hazard and Oscar, because to be in control, midfielders are the key men. We also need a world class player for Rio Ferdinand. Evra is finished and Vidic with a knee problem will never be the same.
BIG PROBLEMS down the road.

Kagawa seemed to have the makings of an excellent partnership with Rooney and even with Van Persie there at the end, although they were not on the pitch together long enough to say really. I think his style of play will fit in perfectly with us — he’s constantly looking to see if a pass is on, and constantly moving. I might even go so far as to say he combines Park’s brain and workrate with Nani’s technique. I’m pretty sure that if RVP stays fit that he, Rooney, and Kagawa are going to be devastating together.

But without getting too mopey about the first game of the season, when we clearly look a bit patchwork and have a defensive injury crisis, I am still concerned. We’ve had slow starts before, and the side will undoubtedly start to play a lot lot better than this as the new players gel and guys like Vidic get back into the swing of things, but it’s clearly a problem when the deficiencies of our midfield have been exposed so dramatically in the very first match, by a team that’s a good team but not a top one. I just don’t see where the answer is going to come from in midfield. We know those players well by now, we know what they can and can’t do. If Carrick and Cleverly are in form and playing well, they’ll be good enough for 80-85% of teams, but we’re going to keep running up against teams that we just have no answer for. It’s not even about the raw quality of Carrick and Cleverly, because they’ve shown on occasions that they can be very good, it’s about having a bit of variability.

Commenter said:
I’m not sleeping. On another website 90% of the United fans are caliing for Fergie to be SACKED! And most fans agree to what I’m saying. Why spend 24 million on another striker who is 29 years old when your problems are in midfield and defence. Its the reason why Chelsea bought two midfielders in Hazard and Oscar, because to be in control, midfielders are the key men. We also need a world class player for Rio Ferdinand. Evra is finished and Vidic with a knee problem will never be the same.
BIG PROBLEMS down the road.

Oh fuck off Herbie… the shit you come out with is embarrassing…

Any fans, anywhere, of any team, who want to sack their manager after the first game, are fuckin morons who know NOTHING about football.

Arsenal were stifled at home by Sunderland… Liverpool were arse raped by fuckin West Brom… and City at home, were nearly done by Southhampton…

We lost to a very good team, on their patch… 1-0… we weren’t very good, it’s true… but that’s all it was.
Because it was the first game of the year, some of you are making way to much of this…

I think that’s true. But what worries me is that Everton proceeded with the exact same plan they used effectively against us last season, and we just had no answer for it. Our team can definitely play better than they did today, but we never even made Moyes switch to Plan B because we simply can’t do shit when a player like Fellaini or Yaya Toure gets up in our gearbox in the defensive-central midfield area. It’s like fucking kryptonite for us.

Arsenal were stifled at home by Sunderland… Liverpool were arse raped by fuckin West Brom… and City at home, were nearly done by Southhampton…

We lost to a very good team, on their patch… 1-0… we weren’t very good, it’s true… but that’s all it was.
Because it was the first game of the year, some of you are making way to much of this…

True it is the first game of the season, and yes everton worked their socks off, like they always do…..But they aren’t going to be top 6 this year, they’ll be 7-9th like they always are, with moyes working miracles.

I think everyone’s pissed off because – we’ve no cover at full back, the centre halfs are crocked (as they have been for 12months), we’re overrun in midfield, no-one to win the ball. All too predictable as many on this forum have been saying. Unless they change the rules promoting a 2-2-6 formation, our squad is hopelessly unbalanced (certainly in terms of where the real quality is).

It wasn’t 2 years ago we were taking the piss out of Arsenal for being all possession and no end product. Now we’re getting 68% of the ball and not forcing a save. The system and style has become too predictable.

bman said:
Kagawa seemed to have the makings of an excellent partnership with Rooney and even with Van Persie there at the end, although they were not on the pitch together long enough to say really. I think his style of play will fit in perfectly with us — he’s constantly looking to see if a pass is on, and constantly moving. I might even go so far as to say he combines Park’s brain and workrate with Nani’s technique. I’m pretty sure that if RVP stays fit that he, Rooney, and Kagawa are going to be devastating together.

But without getting too mopey about the first game of the season, when we clearly look a bit patchwork and have a defensive injury crisis, I am still concerned. We’ve had slow starts before, and the side will undoubtedly start to play a lot lot better than this as the new players gel and guys like Vidic get back into the swing of things, but it’s clearly a problem when the deficiencies of our midfield have been exposed so dramatically in the very first match, by a team that’s a good team but not a top one. I just don’t see where the answer is going to come from in midfield. We know those players well by now, we know what they can and can’t do. If Carrick and Cleverly are in form and playing well, they’ll be good enough for 80-85% of teams, but we’re going to keep running up against teams that we just have no answer for. It’s not even about the raw quality of Carrick and Cleverly, because they’ve shown on occasions that they can be very good, it’s about having a bit of variability.

You see… that’s what I mean… the only reason we lost the midfield battle today, was because Fellaini won absolutely everything in the air… everything… he was awesome… and there aren’t many midfielders anywhere, under 6 foot that wood have coped better… he had a great game… Carrick may have faired better, but certainly Anderson wouldn’t.

When we’ve got a proper back 4, I doubt Scholes will start much… I expect Carrick and Cleverly to be ahead of him… and I think they’ll do fine.

BiscuitBarrell said:
True it is the first game of the season, and yes everton worked their socks off, like they always do…..But they aren’t going to be top 6 this year, they’ll be 7-9th like they always are, with moyes working miracles.

I think everyone’s pissed off because – we’ve no cover at full back, the centre halfs are crocked (as they have been for 12months), we’re overrun in midfield, no-one to win the ball. All too predictable as many on this forum have been saying. Unless they change the rules promoting a 2-2-6 formation, our squad is hopelessly unbalanced (certainly in terms of where the real quality is).

It wasn’t 2 years ago we were taking the piss out of Arsenal for being all possession and no end product. Now we’re getting 68% of the ball and not forcing a save. The system and style has become too predictable.

Oh come on, for fuck sake… how can we be predictable after one fuckin game?

Don’t give me any shit about last year… this is a new season, with some very exciting new players…

Some big + today. De Gea was immense – kept us in it for a long time. Kagawa looked very promising, although not involved enough. The best for me though was no 442. I hope we stick to the 4231.
I can see what Fergie was going for with the top 4 selection. They are all good at the short quick passing game (obviously not tonight) and in that being two-footed is important (why Valencia wasn’t started further up). While ball winning was obviously lacking (I think we didn’t win it once in the attacking third), Scholes and Cleverley were so unwilling to pass it through the middle. No point keeping the ball if you never getting into the box. We had four passes to players in the box and only one (from Kagawa) was made inside the box.
For all the attacking prowess of the front 4, they just didn’t get it enough to have an impact, and when they did, it was always back to goal.
Credit to Everton/Moyes – gameplan worked and they defended very well. I know no one will agree with me on this but Scholes/Cleverley was a ridiculously lightweight mid pair against a team who we knew would play like this. Anderson is our most physical midfielder and what’s more he might actually take a risk with his passes. Scholes is a brilliant passer, but there was no space in behind Everton tonight so he couldn’t play long balls and his short game was very conservative, particularly when chasing the game. Our game was a bit slow – a lot of the players in our formation thrive on playing a high tempo transitional game and I’m sure that’s what Fergie had in mind with the selection and formation. Not really sure why it didn’t happen (even before they scored and sat back).
So we’ve taken a step in the right direction. Can’t really help it if 9 players don’t perform though. Some CBs might help too.
Anyone notice Anderson’s shirt tonight (it read ‘Andesron’)

Very entertaining match, easily the best of the opening fixtures (although I enjoyed WBA v. ‘pool the most). I do think we saw why we don’t want to reduce the scope of his influence and impact by putting Kagawa out wide.

In terms of ball winning – Cleverley (5) made the most tackles in the game, followed by Scholes (3). Kagawa played the only 2 accurate through balls in the game. Between Valencia, Rooney, RVP, Nani and Young we made 26 crosses – one reached their target. Rooney had the fewest touches of any Utd player who completed 90 mins.

Seemed like no one wanted to pass the ball to Kagawa. Not even when he was in acres of space with time to turn towards the opposition goal.

Instead, the team seemed pre-occupied with finding the wingers and pinging in random crosses. Even Scholes was guilty of doing this. This is the EXACT same way we closed last season and it seems no one has learned anything in pre-season. Out of 100 crosses, how many find a United player? Worse, every time a cross is cleared it has a good chance of switching possession to the opposite team. For a side built around wing-play over the last few years it sure isn’t able to have a good crossing game.

And what’s the point of pinging in crosses unless it’s at the end of a fast counter-attack? It’s not like United have hulking towers waiting in the 6-yard box. I know it’s the first game of the season and all, but it’s like deja vu. Feels exactly like last season with the exception of Kagawa.

I just hope the other players use him as an outlet more often rather than, say, Evra.

Alfonso Bedoya said:
You see… that’s what I mean… the only reason we lost the midfield battle today, was because Fellaini won absolutely everything in the air… everything… he was awesome… and there aren’t many midfielders anywhere, under 6 foot that wood have coped better… he had a great game… Carrick may have faired better, but certainly Anderson wouldn’t.

When we’ve got a proper back 4, I doubt Scholes will start much… I expect Carrick and Cleverly to be ahead of him… and I think they’ll do fine.

I agree, but that’s what’s so alarming. If Carrick is not available to play in midfield (either because he’s injured, suspended, or in this case playing in defense), then Fergie basically has to choose between two of Scholes, Cleverly, and Anderson, or I suppose Giggs. It looks to me an awful lot like a midfield that the manager is just going to try to “get by with” over the course of the season, which is not what a club of United’s stature should be doing. Ah fuck it. I know I’m saying nothing new by pointing out the midfield’s a bit lightweight, and obviously this is just the first game after a fairly ropey preseason, but I think I’m just shocked by how second rate Scholesy in particular looked, and I’m usually one of the people defending him around here.

Even if it meant buying nobody next summer, I’d like to see Fergie splash for a midfielder with something about them before the window closes. Even someone like Dembele, who definitely has a bit of presence even if he doesn’t seem especially defensive-minded to me. I’m excited about all of the signings we have made, so maybe I’m just being a greedy twat.

TBH I’m not that surprised we lost given the circumstances right now. Everton away is always a tough fixture and with Carrick and AV having to play at the back, maybe it’s good that we only let one in. A bit depressing that we got beat by a team with 3 former United players who weren’t good enough apparently.

I’m more concerned why Berbatov is still around and Chicharito was not even on the bench. Also, you have to wonder why our defenders are so injury-prone.

Positives? DDG was class and Kaagawa looks very promising if he is played in the right position this season. Let’s see how the Fulham game goes and I’d expect a big win at OT on the weekend. IF SAF can fins the right formation and get RVP, Rooney and Kagawa to play together and IF AV can play in his natural position, and IF we can keep our defenders fit and IF Cleverley can develop intothe player people think he can become, then we will be fine. A lot of IFs though.

that was about as tough a fixture as you can get for your first game of the season.
our defenders just couldn’t handle fellaini. we need to figure out a way to do this though, we can’t have such an obvious weakness for teams to exploit.

Having slept on it, here is my slightly tweaked opinion: while I do admit to being a little bit melodramatic, and that a loss on the 1st game is not the end of the world, I still am concerned on last night’s display. My takeaways:

– At the end, we got deservedly beaten by a side that’s at best a Top 6 side
– we were lucky to only concede one. If it wasnt for DDG and the crossbar, the score would’ve been at least 3-0
– we had 68% possessoon but the only real chance we had was the Cleverly shot.
– Nani, Rooney, Evra, Wellbeck, Scholes were all poor or at best average

I am optimistic we see a better showing on Saturday with RVP fully in thick of things. But if we cant realistically threaten to draw/win vs anyone outside the top 3, even on tough away games, then its hard to be optimistic of our title challenge

Reason to be cheerful (scraping the barrel to find it, but nevertheless: we (and by we I mean Fergue, you and I) now know that the team formation must be built around Kagawa and RvP playing in their best positions: the rest will have to fit in or f-off.
Rooney seems to need inner therapy: his mind is not there and his body is out of shape and Nani, who may not have a mind to begin with, needs to figure put whether he wants to look back on a career where he used his skills and won trophies, or to end up a 35 ye old washed up derelict in Lisbon bar boring the patrons with a tragic tale of how he once played for Manchester United

I didn’t see most of the game, so can’t really judge how good or poor our performance was (general mood seems to be the latter, I gather), but if nothing else, at least we can take some kind of mild amusement from our own dyslexic kit man:

Alfonso Bedoya: “How about a bit of respect for Everton… they were fantastic… and bitching about our midfield not coping with Fellaini???… he is a big cunt. and 99% of the trouble he caused us, were headers won… when Everton hit the underside of the crossbar, it was from Fellaini beating Vidic in the air… so what makes any of you think, another midfielder would have coped?”

I usually disagree with you – and, of course, vice-versa – BUT this comment is spot-on.

Apart from the goal ( ! ), Fellaini won his headers in midfield thirty/forty/fifty yards from goal. Fellaini is a bit of a freak – 6′ 6″ and very good in the air (how many players have that combination of physicality/skills ?) So, having Michael Carrick man-marking him wouldn’t really make any difference to the way Everton played the long ball from Tim Howard to Fellaini. The “problem” was that Pienaar and Osman were able to run on to his flicks and cut into the heart of UTD’s defense.

The other issue in this match was UTD’s inability to cross the ball into the box – Jagielka and Distin had a very easy time of it. After scoring their goal, when Everton ‘turtled’ and allowed UTD to come on to them, this deficiency on the part of TheLads was even more pronounced. For all the criticism of the passing from Nani/Young/Evra/Valencia, there were really no target-men who created problems for Jagielka/Distin. in fact, UTD’s best chance – apart the one that Jagielka stopped from Cleverley – came as a result of playing in Welbeck’s diagonal run. DannyTheLad did very well to get a shot off as he was being pushed/shoved/held and was driven off-balance. Otherwise, Moyes’Men did a good job parking-the-bus and mocking UTD’s ability to break them down.

All-in-all, a deserved three points for Everton.

Finally, a word about the refereeing – the yellow card for Nani was ridiculous; Scholes was a lucky boy not to see two yellows; AND how did Fellaini escape any caution when he went into De Gee elbow-first. from the corner in the 15th minute ?

37 matches to play – if it takes about 90 points to win the EPL then TheLads can only drop about twenty more.

we made no effort to stop their players launching it to fellaini and we had nobosy contesting the second ball once hed won the first, forget the amount of headers he won, how many times did he bring it down and lay it off unchallenged in our third, a fucking disgrace, who’s job was it to contest him scholes ffs, completely typically arrogant mish mash team from taggart assuming we’ll get through it regardless who he puts out

He didn’t need anybody special assigning to him, Alf. We don’t have a player who will grapple with someone like that anyway.

But what you can do is crowd him out. Scholes and Clev sometimes got around him and, along with Carrick, crowded him out. But they didn’t do it often enough.

Vidic should maybe have gone up against him because he can compete better, and get in the odd dig, the odd shove etc which all counts. But then Carrick ain’t quick enough to track the runners from the flick ons.

Anyway, he’s just a decent big man FFS not Messi. If the forwards had turned up then Everton scoring wouldn’t have been that much of a problem, because we’d have smashed them at the other end. 26 crosses and only one found its man.

A few points. Felliani has pretty dominated that game and won it off his own back. Against one of the top 10 sides in Europe. He clearly should be playing for a top four side. He is the type of player we are missing.
Crosses are the most inaccurate way of retaining the ball, especially when the standard of cross is so poor like Nani and Evra delivered last night. Shorter balls into the middle like Valencia delivers are the way forward.
We really to establish what system we are going to be play going forward. Everton had a gameplan, worked hard and stuck to it. Fellaini played the alpha male. United have a right winger at right back and centre mid at centre back which is not ideal.
Moyes is almost certainly the third cab off the rank when Fergie retires. Mourinho first, Guardiola second. If neither are available Moyes could well be the next United boss. He would probably bring Fellaini with him.

Sidney @ 4:49: ” If the forwards had turned up then Everton scoring wouldn’t have been that much of a problem, because we’d have smashed them at the other end. 26 crosses and only one found its man.”

A dreadful statistic to be sure – it could have been another 4-4 IF (and it’s a big “IF”) TheLads were up for it. But they weren’t and the reality was that Everton’s defence wasn’t really troubled whereas DDG save UTD’s bacon on several occasions.

By the way, I’m with Alfonso Bedoya on the “man marking Fellaini” issue – the only time his heading ability was really-and-truly dangerous was on the corner when he out-jumped Carrick; otherwise, he was something of a transmission-man, moving the long-ball from Howard to his mates Pienaar and Osman and that resulted in two chances the first of which, fortunately, hit the bar and the other was saved by DDG.

Bill said:
Moyes is almost certainly the third cab off the rank when Fergie retires. Mourinho first, Guardiola second. If neither are available Moyes could well be the next United boss. He would probably bring Fellaini with him.

And maybe Neville and that Gibson fellow; they look like proper United CMs

If you think that cheating Mourinho c*nt will come anywhere near United, you’re delusional. He’d want to replace everyone but Young—a diver, Rooney—not adverse to diving, Nani—got that rolling around on the floor with a broken ankle bit down pat*, and de Gea—a promising young keeper. The cost of Jose’s war chest would be exorbitant to the point that it would force the Glazers to sell so many MANU shares they’d be in danger of losing control of their cash cow. No, Moyes, a man who can keep a club in the top eight on a shoestring budget, is just the kind of manager Glazernomics dictates.

*To be fair, Nani pretty much cut that crap out of his game last season, but I’d bet that, with the right encouragement, he could bring it back, no problem.

Alf – Prob more honest to say: “He’s cheap cover, will only play 10-15 games in the FA and Carling Cups, and against some eastern European no-hopers in the Champions League. Let’s face it, Evra would have to get caught shagging my missus for me to drop him…”

Not that we’d ever hear that.

Still wondering why United paid double the fee Vitesse had agreed with Southampton before the guy’s agent stepped in asking for cash last month… oh no wait, I’ve got it now.

You are of course assuming that the agent in question had the last word. Maybe Fergie or someone else had a look at the lad and thought he looked good. Anyway, fourth or fifth best in as good a footballing nation at Holland seems perfectly respectable for a backup player, especially given how hard left backs are to come by.

We now have another new player. SAF has bought another striker. His name is Angelo Henriquez, an 18 year old superstar from Chile. He was granted his work permit today, so there will be an official announement made tomorrow. We seem to be buying a lot of strikers. Henriquez is just as good as Van Persie, plays for Chile World Cup team. Rooney may find himself on the bench also.
Could it be that Berbatov and Chicharito are being sold?
Still waiting to hear more on this loan move for Kaka.
Last report was Mourinho was still waiting on the final decision from SAF. Mourinho was the one who made the offer because they got Lucas Modric and also Mourinho is interested in the job when SAF retires. Now SAF said today that he is intersted in the loan move but he is concerned about Kaka’s fitness.

If I were SAF, I’d be just as worried about his “where does he fit-in-ness” and how much does he expect to get paid. I think he’d be a fool to help Real Madrid by taking Kaka’s wages off of their books.

Commenter said:
We now have another new player. SAF has bought another striker. His name is Angelo Henriquez, an 18 year old superstar from Chile. He was granted his work permit today, so there will be an official announement made tomorrow. We seem to be buying a lot of strikers. Henriquez is just as good as Van Persie, plays for Chile World Cup team. Rooney may find himself on the bench also.
Could it be that Berbatov and Chicharito are being sold?
Still waiting to hear more on this loan move for Kaka.
Last report was Mourinho was still waiting on the final decision from SAF. Mourinho was the one who made the offer because they got Lucas Modric and also Mourinho is interested in the job when SAF retires. Now SAF said today that he is intersted in the loan move but he is concerned about Kaka’s fitness.

Ah Herbie always great to read about the inner workings at Old Trafford from the man in the know.

Until Henriquez has scored the same number of premier league goals as Rooney, Chicha, Van Persie, and Welbeck, I think we can safely just say he is a “player with potential” rather than rattling on like he’s some kind of Wunderkind superstar

We’re playing 433 now. Competing for the front 3 positions we have RVP, Rooney, Hernandez, Welbeck, Nani, Valencia, Young. Berba will be sold. Macheda +Bebe will be sold or just used in the C Cup. Henriquez is young – unlikely to play many 1st team games this season. 7 players for 3 positions is pretty reasonable over a 50-60 game season.
Also in the van Stijn (our dutch scout) quotes were his comments rating Buttner over Willems. Obviously third/fourth in dutch league isn’t ideal but probably hard to convince a guy like Pieters to come and risk his place in the dutch team by coming and sitting on our bench.

RobDiablo said:
If I were SAF, I’d be just as worried about his “where does he fit-in-ness” and how much does he expect to get paid. I think he’d be a fool to help Real Madrid by taking Kaka’s wages off of their books.

It’s not just Herbie. I usually check the On the Move blog on Soccernet, where they have posted the rumor but without any “take it with a grain of salt” caveats that usually accompany totally bogus stories. I thought it sounded just like RM: offer United a gift that would benefit only RM and laugh themselves silly if Sir Alex was stupid enough to accept it. If Jose were really trying to curry favor with his future employers (god forbid), he’d offer Sahin or someone else we could really use… like Benzema or Higuain; United do look short of numbers up front.